Charges laid after firework launched at police drone

April 22, 2025

A Thunder Bay resident is facing charges after launching a firework at a police drone during an active missing person search.

On Sunday April 20, 2025, members of the Thunder Bay Police Service were using a drone to assist in locating a missing person.

 

During the operation, a nearby resident expressed concern about the drone to an officer on the ground and was informed that it was a police-operated drone being used as part of the investigation. Despite this information, the individual proceeded to set up, ignite, and launch a firework directly at the drone. The drone operator was able to take evasive action, successfully avoiding damage and preventing a potentially dangerous crash over a residential area.

 

The individual was identified and arrested.

 

A 54-year-old Thunder Bay man has been charged with Obstruct Police and Damage to Aircraft. The accused was released with an appearance notice and a future court date.

 

Drones are classified as aircraft under Canadian law and must be treated as such. Interfering with a police drone — particularly during an operational deployment — poses a serious risk to public safety and undermines critical law enforcement efforts.

 

While some residents may feel uncomfortable with drones operating near their homes, there are no legal restrictions preventing drones from flying over private property. When conducting exigent operational missions, such as missing person or suspect searches, drones may traverse residential areas. The Thunder Bay Police Service makes every reasonable effort to respect personal privacy, and in many cases, the drone is observing areas from a distance rather than directly beneath it. There is no circumstance in which attempting to interfere with a police drone is acceptable.

 

Drones are a vital tool in modern policing and are regularly deployed in a range of operations, with their use in missing person searches among the most critical.

Cyber Crime Unit investigation leads to charges

May 5, 2026
TB25038076  A Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit investigation has led to charges. The investigation began in September 2025, after the Cyber Crime Unit received information about an individual in the city uploading Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) to their Google Photos account. In February 2026, a home was searched on Thunder Bay’s south end leading to the seizure of multiple electronic devices. On May 5, 2026, a suspect turned themselves in. As a result of the investigation, 27-year-old Ira BENSON from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Make child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Sexual assault The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance with a future court date. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com . The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts – the safety tips outlined below are recommended for children of any age. Reporting of any online exploitation can also be made at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca. This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General. There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change ( https://talkingforchange.ca/ ) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child.

Thunder Bay Police Service Intelligence Unit investigation leads to charges

April 29, 2026
TB26015704 An investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service Intelligence Unit with the assistance of the Break, Enter, and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit has led to the seizure of suspected illegal drugs and charges. The investigation led to a home and vehicle being searched in the Limbrick Street area on April 28, 2026. During the searches suspected crack cocaine, suspected fentanyl, morphine capsules, items associated with drug trafficking and over $8,000 Canadian cash was seized. The approximate total value of the suspected controlled substances is $81,600.00. As a result of the investigation, 31-year-old Justine BEELEY of Thunder Bay and 43-year-old Jeffery MCCARTHY of Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 Both of the accused were released from custody following their first court appearance, with a future court date.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigation leads to numerous charges

April 29, 2026
TB26007663, TB26008444, TB26015656 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to charges. On February 28, 2026, officers with the Traffic Unit were on patrol in the Simpson Street area. A bright blue Dodge pickup truck was seen exiting a business parking lot with invalid plates. Officers determined that the driver of the vehicle was using a plate not authorized for the vehicle, and initiated a traffic stop on Walsh Street East. While an officer was approaching the vehicle, the driver put the car in reverse and drove towards the officer at a high rate of speed hitting a police cruiser, before leaving the scene. No officers sustained injuries during the interaction. The pickup truck was located a short while later at the intersection of Arthur Street East and Syndicate Avenue south in a snowbank. The driver had fled the scene. On March 6, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit were on patrol in the Windsor Street South area when they located a sleeping driver behind the wheel of a running vehicle with incorrect plates. When officers tried to speak to the driver, they fled the scene. On April 28, 2026, officers located the suspect in both incidents. Officers with the Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit arrested the suspect in the Pearl Street area while on patrol as part of Project Support an initiative aimed at addressing public safety in the city’s downtown cores. The arrest occurred following a brief foot pursuit. As a result of multiple investigations, 40-year-old Randall NAULT from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs • Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice (identity fraud) • Operation while prohibited under the criminal code (three counts) • Owner operate a motor vehicle without insurance • Dangerous operation (two counts) • Flight from peace officer (two counts) • Failure to comply with release order (five counts) • Aggravated assault of peace officer (Assault Level 3) • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Failure to stop after accident (two counts) • Theft under $5,000 • Resist peace officer The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance. Thank you to members of the public for their assistance with identifying the accused following a Thunder Bay Police Service public appeal for information.